Reported Speech vs Direct Speech Direct Speech Inverted

Reported Speech vs. Direct Speech

Direct Speech

Inverted Commas The most important rule in punctuating direct speech is that all words spoken must be enclosed by inverted commas. “Get off my bridge. ”

Punctuation Inside Inverted Commas All commas, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks related to the speech must also be enclosed by inverted commas.

Commas

Commas

Commas

Punctuation Inside Inverted Commas

Punctuating ‘Split’ Direct Speech

Punctuating ‘Split’ Direct Speech

New Speaker, New Line If the direct speech in a text involves more than one speaker, a new line must be used for each new speaker. This helps the reader to follow what is being said.

Summary Context Punctuation All direct speech Must be enclosed in inverted commas. Direct speech punctuation Must be enclosed in inverted commas. Direct speech before a verb Use a comma after the direct speech (inside the inverted commas), verb begins with inverted comma and lower case letter. Direct speech after a verb Use a comma after the verb (outside the inverted commas), direct speech begins with inverted comma and a capital letter. Split direct speech – one sentence Use a comma/exclamation/question mark inside inverted comma to conclude first part of speech. Verb starts with lower case letter, followed by comma outside inverted commas. Direct speech resumes with an inverted comma and a lower case letter. Split direct speech – two sentences Use a comma/exclamation/question mark inside inverted comma to conclude first part of speech. Verb starts with lower case letter, followed by full stop. Direct speech resumes with an inverted comma and a capital letter.